Writing a Retirement Thank You Letter to Boss (with Sample)
Use this sample retirement thank-you letter to the boss as a template for your formal notification.
Last updated: December 1, 2023
Retiring from working life to a daily life that may have fewer responsibilities marks a transition that most people are happy to make. As with any transition, it is important to leave behind good feelings, and step into the future with a happy heart.
The retiree may thank colleagues, clients and professional contacts, but it is also important to send a thank you letter to the boss. He or she is the person who is responsible for the working conditions, and may have had a big influence on the atmosphere in the office. Whether the retiree likes the boss or not, it is professional etiquette to write the boss a personal letter.
Express Appreciation & Gratitude
When writing to a boss to express appreciation and gratitude, it is important that the tone is sincere. It is never correct to write a sarcastic thank you letter. If the retiree cannot write a sincere letter, even if it is very formal, then it may be better not to write a letter at all. The letter may include specific things that the retiree appreciates.
The retiree may thank colleagues, clients and professional contacts, but it is also important to send a thank you letter to the boss. He or she is the person who is responsible for the working conditions, and may have had a big influence on the atmosphere in the office. Whether the retiree likes the boss or not, it is professional etiquette to write the boss a personal letter.
Express Appreciation & Gratitude
When writing to a boss to express appreciation and gratitude, it is important that the tone is sincere. It is never correct to write a sarcastic thank you letter. If the retiree cannot write a sincere letter, even if it is very formal, then it may be better not to write a letter at all. The letter may include specific things that the retiree appreciates.
For example, the boss may have supported the retiree when he or she made a significant suggestion in the course of the work, or given extra time off when the retiree had a major family crisis. It may also be appropriate for the retiree to thank the boss for teaching good work ethic or for the importance of deadlines or how to be more productive. These qualities will serve the retiree well, even in future endeavors.
Mention Personal Characteristics
The letter may also mention personal characteristics of the boss that helped or impressed the retiree, such as patience, enthusiasm or sense of humor. The retiree can mention that he or she will always remember the kindness shown or learning to maintain high standards in every project. If the boss gave a retirement party for the retiree or a gift, it is suitable to thank the boss in the letter.
If the retiree and the boss are close personal friends, it would be appropriate for the thank you letter to contain inside jokes or personal news that may not be expressed in a letter to colleagues. If the retiree does not know the boss well, it is still important to leave good feelings behind when he or she retires. In that case, the letter can be more general.
Mention Personal Characteristics
The letter may also mention personal characteristics of the boss that helped or impressed the retiree, such as patience, enthusiasm or sense of humor. The retiree can mention that he or she will always remember the kindness shown or learning to maintain high standards in every project. If the boss gave a retirement party for the retiree or a gift, it is suitable to thank the boss in the letter.
If the retiree and the boss are close personal friends, it would be appropriate for the thank you letter to contain inside jokes or personal news that may not be expressed in a letter to colleagues. If the retiree does not know the boss well, it is still important to leave good feelings behind when he or she retires. In that case, the letter can be more general.
For example, it may thank the supervisor for maintaining a professional atmosphere at work or for his or her sense of humor when relieving tension in the workplace.
One Page
Thank you letters are usually short, no more than one page, so the intent of the letter should be mentioned in the first line. After mentioning specific things that the retiree is grateful for, he or she can express the desire to meet the boss after retirement.
For example, if they are friends, the retiree may say that he would love to play an occasional round of golf in the future, or he could invite the boss to his beach bungalow during the summer. If the boss gave the retiree an expensive retirement gift, the letter should be a bit longer in order to suitable express gratitude for the gift.
Timing is Important
Timing is also important. The letter should not be sent six months before the retiree’s last day at work, nor should it be sent the day before. It is recommended to send the letter between two and three weeks before the last day of work.
Below is a sample thank you letter to a boss. It should be written in a formal but friendly tone and may be sent by email, snail mail or hand delivered according to the relationship the retiree has with the boss. However, a letter sent through the postal service tends to seem more sincere and important.
For example, if the retiree does not know the boss very well, it may be more suitable to send the letter by email. If the retiree has enjoyed a friendly relationship with the boss for many years, it would be more appropriate to hand-deliver the letter. In any case, whether the retiree knows the boss well or not, or likes the boss or not, it is important to send the letter.
One Page
Thank you letters are usually short, no more than one page, so the intent of the letter should be mentioned in the first line. After mentioning specific things that the retiree is grateful for, he or she can express the desire to meet the boss after retirement.
For example, if they are friends, the retiree may say that he would love to play an occasional round of golf in the future, or he could invite the boss to his beach bungalow during the summer. If the boss gave the retiree an expensive retirement gift, the letter should be a bit longer in order to suitable express gratitude for the gift.
Timing is Important
Timing is also important. The letter should not be sent six months before the retiree’s last day at work, nor should it be sent the day before. It is recommended to send the letter between two and three weeks before the last day of work.
Below is a sample thank you letter to a boss. It should be written in a formal but friendly tone and may be sent by email, snail mail or hand delivered according to the relationship the retiree has with the boss. However, a letter sent through the postal service tends to seem more sincere and important.
For example, if the retiree does not know the boss very well, it may be more suitable to send the letter by email. If the retiree has enjoyed a friendly relationship with the boss for many years, it would be more appropriate to hand-deliver the letter. In any case, whether the retiree knows the boss well or not, or likes the boss or not, it is important to send the letter.
Sample Retirement Thank You Letter to Boss
Name of Retiree
Address of Retiree
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Name of Boss
Name of Company
Address of Company
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Name of Boss:
My retirement starts in three weeks, and I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to you for being a superlative boss. Your leadership skills, sense of humor and genuine concern for each of the employees under you has made working for Name of Company for the last 15 years a real joy.
I believe you taught me how to be more professional in my daily work, which benefited the company, my team as well as me. With your guidance, Name of Company will move forward to success after success.
I do not plan to be idle during my retirement years and am looking forward to deep-sea fishing. I would welcome you and your family at my beach bungalow at any time throughout the year. Just give me some advanced notice and mi casa es su casa. You can reach me at Phone Number or Email Address. I may be moving to the beach, but my friends are always welcome. Thank you again for helping me start my retirement with valuable memories of my career at Name of Company.
Sincerely,
Signature of Retiree
Printed Name of Retiree
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